Roger D. "Anderson" Prunty, 89, died at home on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, surrounded by family. Born January 14, 1929 in Forestburg, SD, Roger was the second of four sons, to Glenn G. and Anna K. (Anderson) Prunty. In 1944, Glenn and Anna moved their family to Brookings, SD, and Roger graduated from Brookings High School in 1947.

Roger began attending South Dakota State University (SDSU), his alma mater, before leaving to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Roger was stationed in Japan because he knew how to use a typewriter and operate a backhoe. He often remarked on those days and the toil of war. One of his most difficult assignments was using the backhoe to lift the caskets of his fellow comrades from the ships. While his buddies went to Korea, he always felt he should have been serving next to them.

On November 1, 1953, he married the love of his life, Betty A. Johnson, in Sioux Falls, SD. Roger and Betty settled in Brookings where Roger returned to his studies at SDSU and founded Prunty Construction Company, a general contracting company engaged primarily in underground utilities, with his father, Glenn, and younger brother, Homer. In 1962, Roger earned a degree in Economics from South Dakota State University, with a little assistance from his wife, Betty. During this time, they were also raising their 5 young children.

Roger's happiest days were those spent with his wife, children, grandchildren, pets, and friends. He had a passion for making his community better, and was never one to turn down an opportunity to improve the lot of others. Roger loved every child that came into his life. He worked to solve problems, rather than create them, and always sought to bring people together.

He was honored to serve as Mayor of Brookings from 1980 to 1985. He enjoyed being Secretary of the SD Senate from 1972 to 1976. He was on the South Dakota Board of Regents from 1986 to 1992. His service also included commanding the Brookings American Legion Post, chairing the SD Division of Alcoholism, and being on the SD Cement Plant Commission.

Roger held various positions in the Democratic Party, including chairing the Robert F. Kennedy for President Campaign for Brookings County. He served as a Delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1968. He was an avid and lifelong Democrat, but always said he loved his Republican friends as much as his Democrat ones.

His hobbies included being a private pilot from the age of 18 until age 65. He loved to fly almost as much as he loved politics. He also loved to travel and work the crossword. In his later years, his daily routine included walks with his beloved dog, Waldo Pepper.

Above all, Roger loved his family and community. He was the best listener to anyone who needed someone to hear them. He cared about the vulnerable among us and was welcoming to all. He was a kind and gentle soul and he was known to give the very best hugs. His great grandchildren liked to call him "Roger-Dodger" and that always made him smile.

He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 65 years, Betty Prunty, their five children: Steve (Kristi), Stephanie (Del), Robin (Brian), Jackie (Mike), and Susan (Richard), 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Kenny (Florene), and Terry (Lorna), in addition to numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his father, mother, his brother Homer, parents-in-law, 3 sisters-in-law, and 2 brothers-in-law.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at First United Methodist Church in Brookings. Visitations will be from 4-6 P.M. on Friday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Daschle Center at South Dakota State University or the charity of your choice.